By Amy Larson, Photography by Marshall Nichols
On the first Thursday of every month, the Village at Meridian hosts a special event called “Escape to the Village.” I took a few of my friends, and being four hard-working women in our 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and 60’s, we were more than ready for VIP pampering. Hundreds had arrived at the Village concierge, seeking Village Indulgences Passports. We snagged a few and were off.
“This is my favorite part,” I said, twisting a paper pumpkin craft’s stem at Paperie + Pen.
“This is my favorite part,” expressed Allie, biting into a Which Wich sample.
“This is my favorite part,” Mary laughed, holding up purchases.
The airy, cream, and beige-toned Sb Salon and Spa greeted us with fresh long-stemmed roses, crab mac n’ cheese bites, and S’mores nibbles from Twig’s Bistro. Resting on couches while eating, we watched demos on simple, elegant hairstyles.
“I just like to say, ‘Walla Walla,’” I commented while walking to our next destination, “don’t you?”
The store’s owner, an energetic blonde, greeted us at the Clothing Co., displaying the one-armed poncho. Teresa demonstrated how to push up the sleeve while the other side sat off-shoulder. The store’s versatility of genres, layers, and classic trends meant pieces could be worn for years. It all played nicely together, just like our assorted group that grabbed the Matador’s chips and fresh salsa samples on the way out.
We visited and talked about the PURE Health, Image, and Lifestyle Center. We liked what they had done thus far, and we look forward to seeing more from the center as it grows.
“Now, if we could get certain males interested in stepping up their wardrobes,” I bemoaned, after walking into Robert Comstock’s impressive store.
“I should get mine some clothing worth keeping, unlike his sweaters from college days,” one friend replied. Viewing well-cut clothing in navy, black, brown, and mustard, we remembered that designer Robert Comstock was from Boise, and the huge annual holiday clothing sales at the fairgrounds. To have a year-round store seemed magical.
“Cute, thumb holes!” someone called out at Lululemon Athletica, while another friend discovered messages on shirt interiors and workout pants with reflective hems for biking safety.
At Chico’s, we found black pants that worked for—instead of against—most body types, and sampled The Counter’s grilled veggie skewers. Two friends split off to visit Soma Intimates, giggling like schoolgirls, which made the rest of us laugh a bit too. The rest of us made our way to the Loft, another impressive Village storefront.
Daisy, Executive Chef at Sur la Table told us, “At our cooking classes, you can try before you buy.”
“Really?” we asked.
“If it’ll open, we’ll let you try it,” she grinned.
We liked that, and liked that we could learn, eat apple chicken, savory bread pudding, and macarons, and let someone else clean up. We also liked finding cactus, seahorse, Texas, and VW bug cookie cutters, and all of the culinary tools, knick-knacks, and linens needed to host the perfect dinner party.
“I’d actually cook if I had this stuff,” one of the girls said.
“Hey!” we heard as my son and daughter-in-law emerged out of nowhere, “Where to next?”
“Anthropologie,” I said after hugging them, knowing it was a favorite.
We walked until we saw the bling and positivity through Anthropologie’s color, art, and world travel displays. The glass wares, silky scarves, fragrances, fabrics, lace blossoms, ceramics, and bags were a visual delight. Here, I found the scarf of my dreams.
After picking up our free gift at Guest Services, it only seemed right to share some Calle 75 Street Tacos while our group congregated around a fountain-side table to eat, enjoy, and take in the magic.
“Glad we escaped,” I told my friends, “Let’s do it again next month.”
To find out more about “Escapte to the Village” visit www.thevillageatmeridian.com or find them on Facebook.
